Punks Meet Flower Crowns >> Lashton AU ✔️

113. ~ Bath

Note: Character Asks is CLOSED. Damn, y'all work fast with them questions! 86 questions in less than 18 hours! I'm so happy! Well, the Character Asks chapter will be up shortly but, for now, here's Chapter 113! Prepare your eyeballs.

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Time: 8:48 pm.

Setting: Luke's Room. Room 343.

Luke: (to Alex) Mind heading home? I'll check up on him.

Alex: (nods, sympathetic) Yeah, no problem. Make sure he's alright. (Luke nods, Alex leaves)

Luke: (sighs, walking over to his bedroom door, knocks) Koala? (hears crying on the other side) Ashton, please open the door. It's just you and me. (door clicks, Luke is surprised, door opens, Ashton is standing there, holding the thick comforter in his arms and crying) Oh, my koala.

Ashton: (sadly) Not here. (glances at the bed, disoriented) I can't...Not here.

Luke: (soft, like he's afraid Ashton will bolt) Okay, Ashton. Not here. Somewhere safe, yeah? (Ashton nods, still crying) Bathtub? That's safe. Remember? That's where we talked and I held you. I can hold you, again. You'll be safe there.

Ashton: (nods, weak) Please.

Luke: Walk or do you want me to carry you? (Ashton shakes his head) Walk then? (Ashton nods, Luke smiles softly, takes one of Ashton's hands) C'mon. Let's go. (leads him to the bathroom, opens door, get in the bathtub, facing the nozzle) C'mon, Ashton. Get in. It's okay.

Ashton: (stares at him for a moment, gets in, clutches the comforter in his arms, back against Luke's chest, hiccups) Did you see the paper?

Luke: (nods) Yeah. I did. They're getting married.

Ashton: (sniffles, nods) Yeah. A-and that's not even the worst part. (starts sobbing again)

Luke: (runs a hand through Ashton's hair, shushing him gently) It's alright, koala. It's alright. Tell me when you're ready. I'm here. I'm right here.

Ashton: (hiccupping) Niall wants me to be his best man. (slams his hand against the wall) That's not fair. How could he? He was my best man. (sobs harshly, Luke holds him tightly) Now, he's getting married to the same woman I did. Lukey, it's not fair! (breathes harshly, starts thrashing, panicking) It's not. It's not.

Luke: (holds him as he thrashes, let's Ashton claw at his arms a few times) I know, koala. I know, it's not.

Ashton: He shouldn't have asked me. (choked breath) I wasn't ready. I wasn't. (miserable) I wasn't ready, at all. I wanted to die when he told me.

Luke: (shaking his head rapidly, turns Ashton until they're facing each other) Oh, koala, no. No, please. Please, don't think that. Never think that, Ashton. (kisses his forehead firmly) I love you so much. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand losing you.

Ashton: (small) I'm trying. (sobs) He makes it so hard. I was trying. So hard.

Luke: (hugs him, brushing Ashton's hair with his hands, rocking them back and forth) I know, I know. I'm so proud of you for that. So proud, koala. I know how hard this is. I know how much it hurts. Please, don't give up. I'm here. I'll always be here. I promise. I promise, Ashton. (Ashton starts crying again) Shh, it's okay. I'm here, love. I'm here.

QOTD: Why does Ashton need a 'safe place' when he's in this state?